2024 in Review
Another Incredible Year Capped by Award Win
By Shane Reid, Director, Drug and Product Management, Medavie Blue Cross
2024 in Review
2024 in Review
Another Incredible Year Capped by Award Win
By Shane Reid, Director, Drug and Product Management, Medavie Blue Cross
2024 was a milestone year for Medavie Blue Cross. We continued to raise the bar in delivering the best plan value and protection to our clients, culminating in being awarded the prestigious title of Canada’s Life & Health Insurer of the Year. This national recognition highlights our company’s leadership in providing “top-tier” insurance products to businesses and consumers with an “exemplary” level of service.
“This award reinforces our belief that we’re doing the right things for the right reasons in pursuit of our mission to improve the wellbeing of Canadians.”
Eric Laberge, President, Medavie Blue Cross
Recognition and Awards
Being named Canada’s Life & Health Insurer of the Year — for the second time in four years — underscores our reputation as an industry trailblazer and motivates us to continue to push the boundaries as we explore new ways to make a meaningful impact on the health and wellbeing of Canadians. We follow a time-honoured tradition of adapting to evolving healthcare needs and setting a standard for others to follow, dating back to the founding of our not-for-profit organization 80+ years ago.
Learn more about our award-winning culture
Celebrating a 30-year milestone
In 2024, we marked the 30th anniversary of our Medication Advisory Panel. This groundbreaking solution remains foundational to our pharmacy benefit management (PBM). The expert panel evaluates specialty medications to ensure they are clinically sound and cost-effective before they are added to our formulary — one of the many ways we balance member health and plan sustainability for our clients.
First-in-Canada solutions
Leveraging our unique position as Canada’s only fully integrated health, drug, and disability carrier, with our own PBM, and by partnering with Canada’s leading service providers, in 2024 we launched two first-of-their-kind solutions, specializing in menopause and ADHD care.
“Providing caring expertise is at the core of our customer promise.”
David Adams, Senior Vice President, Insurance Business
Women’s health
Our new menopause solution empowers women with personalized assessments, a symptom relief guide, 1:1 coaching services and, access to an AI-powered chatbot. Complementing this launch, we established an online resource centre to support women’s health at all stages of life.
"Women are seeking solutions that allow them to thrive during midlife. We are thrilled about our alliance with Medavie Blue Cross, and our shared commitment to providing access to care that empowers women.”
Angela Johnson, CEO, SanoLiving
Additionally, we commissioned a study on women’s health to identify the unique challenges women face in accessing healthcare. We will draw on the study’s findings to inform the development of future solutions to help women navigate their healthcare journeys.
Discover our specially designed health solutions for women
Women’s health
Our new menopause solution empowers women with personalized assessments, a symptom relief guide, 1:1 coaching services and, access to an AI-powered chatbot. Complementing this launch, we established an online resource centre to support women’s health at all stages of life.
"Women are seeking solutions that allow them to thrive during midlife. We are thrilled about our alliance with Medavie Blue Cross, and our shared commitment to providing access to care that empowers women.”
Angela Johnson, CEO, SanoLiving
Additionally, we commissioned a study on women’s health to identify the unique challenges women face in accessing healthcare. We will draw on the study’s findings to inform the development of future solutions to help women navigate their healthcare journeys.
Discover our specially designed health solutions for women
ADHD care
Our ADHD solution simplifies the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of this neurodevelopmental condition. Members have exclusive and convenient access to our ADHD and menopause solutions ― and at preferred pricing — through Connected Care, our virtual health and wellness centre.
Digital health innovations
In 2024, we enhanced our Connected Care platform and Blue Cross Mobile app, to offer members fast, easy access to personalized wellness and treatment programs. In addition to our ADHD and menopause solutions - we welcomed the addition of nutrition coaching and financial counselling, with more exciting additions in store for 2025.
"With service categories like mental wellness, health coaching, chronic disease management and financial wellness, we're taking a holistic approach to health and creating an environment where our members can thrive."
Catherine Biermann, Manager, Digital Product Solutions and Partnerships
Creating an improved, seamless user experience was the focus of our mobile app upgrade in 2024. This included a new look, improved navigation, biometric login options, simplified claim submissions, and claims tracker tool. We also upgraded our Group Administrator portal to support efficient benefit management with enhanced navigation and data entry tools. In addition, we began development of a new online tools and resource centre to support the work of advisors.
Expanding our early intervention program
As one of Canada’s leading disability claim managers, we’re outperforming the industry on key return-to-health-and-work metrics. By intervening early and expediting treatment, we have seen a 33% reduction in long-term disability (LTD) claims and a 22% reduction in LTD cases involving a mental health diagnosis. We have now adopted this early intervention model to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal issues through an industry-first pilot. The service uses machine learning and natural language processing to help determine the best treatment options and outcomes.
Find out how we are leading the way in disability management
Contracted to insure Ontario hospital workers
We’re also emerging as Canada’s leading insurer for the healthcare sector, providing employee group benefit plans at all 200+ public medical facilities in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In 2024, we were contracted as the preferred health and dental insurer for Ontario hospital workers, in partnership with Healthcare Collaborative Benefits (CO), presenting an exceptional growth opportunity for our company.
"MBC’s responsiveness, agility and sense of partnership has allowed the Co program to have such a successful first year and allowed us to meet the needs of our participating organizations."
John Gray, Interim CEO & VP, Co.
Achieving the highest standards for customer service
As Canada’s fourth largest benefits provider (public business included) and Canada’s largest private administrator of federal public programs, we connect a total of 3.8 million or 1 in 10 Canadians with timely, quality care, while maintaining “world-class” Net Promoter Scores for customer satisfaction and loyalty, based on the 2 million calls we answer annually at our customer contact centres.
Opening a new Medavie Benefits+ centre
In early 2024, we officially opened our third Medavie Benefits+ centre in St. John’s, NL and introduced a new industry model in member service and experience. Also located in Halifax, NS, and Moncton, NB, Medavie Benefits + is a walk-in, all-inclusive health insurance and wellness centre designed to help members get full value from their coverage and achieve their health and wellness goals.
“As we evolve our business in a digitally focused environment to meet the needs and expectations of our clients, it is important for us to continue to be there for our members in a meaningful way by offering a connection in person as well.”
Anita Swamy, Senior Vice President, Operations
Learn more about Medavie Benefits+, your health benefits and wellness resource centre
Opening a new Medavie Benefits+ centre
In early 2024, we officially opened our third Medavie Benefits+ centre in St. John’s, NL and introduced a new industry model in member service and experience. Also located in Halifax, NS, and Moncton, NB, Medavie Benefits + is a walk-in, all-inclusive health insurance and wellness centre designed to help members get full value from their coverage and achieve their health and wellness goals.
“As we evolve our business in a digitally focused environment to meet the needs and expectations of our clients, it is important for us to continue to be there for our members in a meaningful way by offering a connection in person as well.”
Anita Swamy, Senior Vice President, Operations
Learn more about Medavie Benefits+, your health benefits and wellness resource centre
Looking to the future
As we turn the calendar to 2025, we want to thank our team, our business partners and our clients for their support and collaboration this past year. We truly owe our success to you!
Working together in the new year, our focus will remain on delivering exceptional value, driving positive change, and helping Canadians lead fully, healthy lives.
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...